August 6th - We measured the wind 25 minutes before our start at ~240° shifting to ~235° about eight minutes before our start. The starting line was square to ~245° so the pin end was favored and we decided to start there. We got a pretty good start, being the boat closest to the pin with clear air. Creeper was on our immediate right but we put the boat into point mode, higher but a little slower, and were able to pinch them off (they tacked and ducked Superstar). We kept the boat in pinch mode and forced Superstar to tack as well (after the race we found out that they didn't even know we were there so made no attempt to sail high enough to avoid our bad air until it was too late). That left us as the left-most boat and since there seemed more wind ahead we continued (sailing ~205°). About 0.7 nm up the course, we got a slight header (~7-10°) and tacked to port.

Heading back toward the center of the course we passed ahead of Spirit. Unfortunately, the crossing was close (about 1/3-1/2 of a boatlength at the closest) and they flew a protest flag so as insurance we took a 720° penalty. [We thought Spirit was being unduly alarmist about the closeness of the crossing but it is always hard for the port-tack boat to win a protest of this sort. We have had no issue with other crossings that were this close or closer but it is always better to take a 720° penalty than risk a DSQ in the protest room.] We continued on port, passing behind several boats and passing within a dozen feet or so of S mark. As the wind seemed stronger to the north we kept going, becoming the right-most boat.

We tacked on a slight header (any excuse to consolidate with the competition) and ducked several boats. Fortunately, the wind shifted a bit south and we were able to get very close to the leaders and even passed a boat. We came into the starboard-tack layline about two boatlengths short of the port-tack layline and tacked into a nice hole directly behind Creeper and ahead of Teaser(?). At the windward mark, the order was Superstar followed 4-5 boatlengths or so back by Spirit and Creeper (stern to bow) followed very closely by us and then Teaser(?).

Downwind was quite interesting. Soon after rounding we gybed, trying to create leverage on the other boats (and hoping for a south shift). Superstar went way south and made out big time on the rest of the class (the wind went north? or perhaps there as a bit more pressure to the south). We did OK on the north side, with the middle slower than either edge. Starboard tack was much faster, with the waves more astern. Superstar got to the breakwater well ahead of us; Creeper was only a few boatlengths ahead; we were third boat around the breakwater. We simply tried to stay within striking distance of Creeper, who finished about 40-45 seconds ahead of us (they owed us over one minute). Superstar was way ahead (over two minutes?).

Our big rival for the MR Trophy, Bandit, got a first to our second so they cut into our lead significantly. However, hope springs eternal and we look forward to race #18.

Last updated: August 6, 2003